Bowditch leads at halfway mark

Australia’s Steven Bowditch leads the Valero Texas Open at the halfway stage after an impressive second-round 67.
Bowditch moved to eight-under-par at the TPC San Antonio where he carded can eagle and five birdies on Friday.
It could have been an even better day for the Aussie, but he spoiled his round on his final hole with a double bogey six on the ninth.
“It’s a 72-hole tournament and I just did it on the 36th hole, made a double-bogey,” Bowditch said on the PGA Tour website. “It’s going to happen out here.”
Bowditch admitted his game on the greens has been giving him problems recently and that he has relied on his approach shots to bail him out.
“I’m not making many putts at the moment, so most of my birdies have been sort of coming inside of six or five feet,” Bowditch added.
“I’ve hit a lot of good wedge shots. I made a couple good par saves on my back nine this afternoon, but all in all it’s been more of hitting my approach shots pretty close.”
Meanwhile world number five Phil Mickelson’s second-round 70 ensured he survived the cut. The American made four birdies and two bogeys.
At the front, Chad Collins sits in a tie for second after an impressive 66 moved him up the field and he sits alongside first-round leader Andrew Loupe on seven-under-par.
Cameron Beckman is two shots back after following a bogey just before the turn with three birdies on the back nine, with Pat Perez also joint fourth.
England’s Brian Davis is now seven shots off the pace after a level par 72 second round, which included four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey on the third.
Defending champion Martin Laird followed up a level-par 72 with 77 on Friday to miss the cut by two shots, while Ireland’s Padraig Harrington also made an early exit after finishing on five over par overall.
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.